Does anyone know if the exceptions to the post-10am rule for Network Railcard discounts detailed here still apply?

I want to take the 0830 from Exeter Central to Clapham Junction every Tuesday for the foreseeable future, returning on the 1527 two days later on the Thursday. The 0830 from Exeter Central is on that list, yet neither National Rail or SWT websites show a discount when adding a Network Railcard (price is £64.40 for an Off-Peak Return). The first train to discount is the 1030, suggesting the usual post-1000 rule.

That list is linked from National Rail's website ... have they forgotten to update it or something?

This train is valid with Network Cards and SWT are very aware that their booking engine won't allow it. During repeated email/phone conversations they have continually refused to do anything about it and continue to overcharge their online customers. They say you could buy at the station if you want it but whenever you find a fare not being offered on their machines they say buy online as all tickets are available online. So you're screwed both ways and they have NO incentive to fix it as both issues just make them more profits.

Also be warned there are still some guards on this line that believe Off peak Period Returns are only valid after 0930 to Clapham despite the restriction allowing travel on or after the 0641 from St Davids (without a Network Card).

This train is valid with Network Cards and SWT are very aware that their booking engine won't allow it. During repeated email/phone conversations they have continually refused to do anything about it and continue to overcharge their online customers. They say you could buy at the station if you want it but whenever you find a fare not being offered on their machines they say buy online as all tickets are available online. So you're screwed both ways and they have NO incentive to fix it as both issues just make them more profits.

Clearly, you dislike SWT.

You'll find that even the ATOS booking engine will not show a Network Railcard discount on the 0830 from Exeter Central.

The reason the Network Railcard discount will not show before 1000 is due to a limitation in the fares system. The Network Railcard is can be shown to work in journey planners before 1000 by easing a particular train. However, the easement has to apply to the whole train or the train is not eased at all. As the 0826 train has Network Railcard easements as far as Feniton, there is little that can be done to make it report correctly in journey planners. The alternative is for SWT to remove the easement on this train.

You'll find that even the ATOS booking engine will not show a Network Railcard discount on the 0830 from Exeter Central.

The reason the Network Railcard discount will not show before 1000 is due to a limitation in the fares system. The Network Railcard is can be shown to work in journey planners before 1000 by easing a particular train. However, the easement has to apply to the whole train or the train is not eased at all. As the 0826 train has Network Railcard easements as far as Feniton, there is little that can be done to make it report correctly in journey planners. The alternative is for SWT to remove the easement on this train.

It's not a case of disliking SWT, it's a case that this problem is not as difficult to fix as is being made out but SWT and all other TOC's have no incentive to sort it so won't. The fix shouldn't involve removing the easement but would because that's the easiest option.

SWT still fail to offer all destinations from their ticket machines despite other TOC's with the same machines offering them. They keep promising to fix it and never do as again they'd rather overcharge. They say use the internet but the internet doesn't offer all tickets either. So you can't buy online and can't buy from station ticket machines, the ticket office if it exists still is closed earlier now so the only solution they offer to avoid a penalty fare is to buy the wrong ticket to the wrong station and get it changed on the train which is both ridiculous and very hard to do.

- I know that Network Railcard discounts don't apply to Advance tickets: what about an Annual Gold Card ?

No - Goldcard discounts are not available on an Advance fare.--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Quote:

Originally Posted by embers25

It's not a case of disliking SWT, it's a case that this problem is not as difficult to fix as is being made out but SWT and all other TOC's have no incentive to sort it so won't. The fix shouldn't involve removing the easement but would because that's the easiest option..

As it's an easement, SWT could withdraw it at any fares round. After all, the Railcard is only supposed to offer a discount on journeys starting at 1000 or later.

Quote:

Originally Posted by embers25

SWT still fail to offer all destinations from their ticket machines despite other TOC's with the same machines offering them. They keep promising to fix it and never do as again they'd rather overcharge. They say use the internet but the internet doesn't offer all tickets either. So you can't buy online and can't buy from station ticket machines, the ticket office if it exists still is closed earlier now so the only solution they offer to avoid a penalty fare is to buy the wrong ticket to the wrong station and get it changed on the train which is both ridiculous and very hard to do.

Have you got an example of a journey that isn't in the TVM or online? I'm quite happy to raise it with my contact within SWT.

Last edited by wibble; 19th July 2012 at 14:02.
Reason: Double post prevention system